Topic
Public Finance
5,915 speeches · 726 speakers
Party share
By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
Most active on this topic
| # | Member | Speeches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF | 283 |
| 2 | Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, M.P. JJB | 229 |
| 3 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 171 |
| 4 | Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, M.P. JJB | 167 |
| 5 | Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P. JJB | 153 |
| 6 | Hon. Kumara Jayakody, M.P. JJB | 147 |
| 7 | Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, M.P. SJB | 140 |
| 8 | Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB | 135 |
| 9 | Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, M.P. JJB | 115 |
| 10 | Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 92 |
Speeches
5,915 on this topic- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister said that the issue raised by Hon. Marikkar had been referred to the Director General of Sri Lanka Customs. He undertook to provide a detailed response the following day on whether tax evasion had occurred and on matters relating to the companies mentioned. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar welcomed the Clean Sri Lanka programme if it addresses substantive failures, but urged it to investigate alleged fiscal fraud, citing reports of around Rs. 5 billion in unpaid VAT and levies on imported crude coconut oil refined and sold locally after the VAT exemption ended on 1 January 2024. He referred to correspondence involving the Fiscal Policy Department, Inland Revenue Department, and Sena Mills Refineries, and asked that tax enforcement be applied as seriously as other clean-up efforts. He also argued that following the Public Utilities Commission’s 20 per cent reduction in electricity tariffs, water tariffs should be reduced because they had previously been increased in response to electricity price hikes. On Meethotamulla, he accepted that relocation may be necessary for UDA development land but criticised the manner of evictions, water disconnections, and unaffordable rehousing terms, requesting UDA housing in Kolonnawa with a lower initial payment and instalment scheme for affected low-income families. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns about the accuracy and availability of Ceylon Electricity Board information, noting that the 2023 annual report was not on its website and citing figures from the Final Budget Position Report 2023 on Treasury support and CEB debts to CPC and IPPs. He argued that incorrect figures supplied by officials can mislead Ministers and Parliament, and requested that the CEB Chairman and responsible officials be summoned before the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to determine who provided the disputed information. Procedural: Privilege Question on Ceylon Electricity Board - Referred to Committee on Ethics and Privileges Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a privilege issue alleging that the Minister of Power and Energy presented inaccurate information to Parliament by denying that the Ceylon Electricity Board had made substantial profits in 2024 and instead claiming it had Rs. 332 billion in debt. He cited the Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report, PUCSL-CEB correspondence, National Audit Office material, and Treasury equity support records to argue that CEB profits were about Rs. 177.6 billion and that large past losses had already been borne by the Treasury. He said delays in tariff reductions and withholding of information had burdened consumers, noting high disconnection figures in 2023 and early 2024, and referred to the PUCSL’s recommendation of a 20 per cent tariff reduction following consultations. Procedural: Privilege Question on Ceylon Electricity Board - Referred to Committee on Ethics and Privileges Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Environment, Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa tabled an answer stating that Sri Lanka has 103 rivers, with their names and locations provided in an annex. The response identified major causes of river pollution, including urbanization, industrial effluent, sewage and solid waste discharge, sand mining, unauthorized constructions, agrochemical use, deforestation, and degradation of mangroves and riparian vegetation. It outlined the roles of relevant agencies and noted that while short-term conservation programmes exist, long-term programmes are lacking, with “Pivithuru Ganga” identified as the main ministry initiative. The answer also described Central Environmental Authority monitoring and legal measures under the National Environmental Act, while noting weak institutional coordination, inadequate legal frameworks, and limited capacity to test residual pesticides and agrochemicals. Oral Question: Rivers in Sri Lanka and Pollution Measures (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath raised concerns about the use of cess funds for the tea industry, noting its importance to millions of people including smallholders, factory owners, and workers. He said fertilizer, replanting support, and nursery assistance had not been provided adequately or on time, while acknowledging the recent provision of MOP fertilizer. He asked whether substantial funds would henceforth be allocated for tea industry development and whether the Government has a specific programme to strengthen the sector as a stable foreign exchange earner. Oral Question: Cess Levied on Finished Tea - Income Earned in 2024 (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that previous governments and the Ministry of Finance had decided to credit cess revenue to the Treasury. He noted that, as a result, the Tea Board had not received any cess allocations since 2011. Oral Question: Cess Levied on Finished Tea - Income Earned in 2024 (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister provided a written reply on tea cess, confirming current rates on bulk tea, value-added packs, exports, and imports. He stated that total tea cess revenue collected in 2024 was Rs. 1.618 billion, almost entirely from exports, and that Customs remits these proceeds to the Consolidated Fund rather than transferring them to the Tea Board, Tea Research Institute, or Tea Small Holdings Development Authority. Oral Question: Cess Levied on Finished Tea - Income Earned in 2024 (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Lal Premanath asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure to provide details on the cess levied on exported finished tea, including the current rate per kilogram and total revenue collected in 2024. He further requested a breakdown of allocations from that revenue to the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Tea Small Holdings Development Authority, and Tea Research Institute, and asked whether expenditure reports for those funds would be presented to Parliament. Oral Question: Cess Levied on Finished Tea - Income Earned in 2024 (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran argued that pending writ applications do not prevent the Government from granting relief to a Divisional Secretariat that has operated for over 30 years with Cabinet approval. He questioned why full powers cannot be granted despite unresolved boundary issues, noting that other DS Divisions function similarly, and raised concern that a permanent Accountant has not been appointed despite a cadre post being created in 2019. Oral Question: Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat Status (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Imran Maharoof urged the Ministry to prioritize new electricity wiring systems in densely populated Muslim areas, citing previous incidents involving wires. He also questioned the Government’s stated plan to reduce electricity tariffs, asking to what extent reductions would be made and how the Ministry intends to implement them. Oral Question: Kinniya CEB Consumer Service Centre - Power Disconnections (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the CEB assesses supply quality using SAIDI and SAIFI indices rather than only the number and duration of outages, and provided 2023 and 2024 figures for Trincomalee and Kinniya, showing improved interruption duration and frequency in both areas. He explained that outages arise from network failures, weather or accidents, and planned maintenance or construction, with planned outages limited and notified in advance, while alternative supply routes are used to reduce consumer impact in Kinniya. He also said power is not intentionally disconnected during national examinations or special occasions except in emergencies, and confirmed that written billing notes or hang cards will be provided on request where bills are not currently left at premises. Oral Question: Kinniya CEB Consumer Service Centre - Power Disconnections (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Energy to provide area-wise details of power supply disconnections in the Kinniya CEB Consumer Service Centre area from 1 January 2023 to 20 December 2024. He raised concerns about frequent outages affecting residents, students, and online workers, requested reasons and remedial measures, and questioned whether the move to SMS-based electricity bills should be reversed because it inconveniences elderly consumers and those without smartphones. Oral Question: Kinniya CEB Consumer Service Centre - Power Disconnections (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe said issuance of LRC permits for small residential lots has been paused due to ongoing inquiries into LRC lands, but the investigations concern large project lands rather than ordinary residential titles. He expressed regret to affected applicants and stated that the backlog of individual residential permits would be fast-tracked and released soon. He also said the Urumaya free grant programme has raised concerns because grants issued without conditions may enable misuse, sale, or transfer of land, and that officials have advised considering alternatives. He noted that about 27,000 Urumaya deeds have been issued, many applications remain pending, and expert advice is being taken before further title issuance steps are finalized. Oral Question: Lands Owned by Land Reform Commission - Fraudulent Acquisition (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister stated that around 48,000 NHDA-related housing units remain incomplete nationwide, including in Batticaloa, leaving some beneficiaries with loans but unfinished homes. He said the Ministry and NHDA are preparing a phased completion plan subject to budget allocations, considering renewed State bank loan support, and directing part of NHDA’s annual allocations to these schemes. He said a fixed completion date cannot be given due to the scale of funding required and the need to prioritize within available resources. Oral Question: Housing Scheme Non-Completion in Vavunativu (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the relevant housing projects have been recognized and that Cabinet approval has been obtained to seek the necessary allocations for their completion. He said work would proceed once Treasury funds are received, while related information has been included in the District Secretariat’s five-year plan. He also noted that UNDP-funded construction is underway for 20 houses in Komathalamadu, 25 in Thumpalacholai/Koppaveli-II, and five in Ollimadu, but no firm completion timeframe can be given until allocations are received. Oral Question: Housing Scheme Non-Completion in Vavunativu (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the information he had prepared related to SriLankan Airlines, while the question raised concerned Customs, for which he did not have details available. He added that institutions operate according to proper procedures and without political interference. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines Profit/Loss and Customs Operations (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri questioned the Deputy Minister about reports that more than 200 red-labelled containers at the port had been released despite Customs’ role in screening cargo and levying duties under the Finance Ministry. He asked whether the release followed a directive from the President as Finance Minister or from the Deputy Minister, noting public allegations of political influence and concerns raised by Customs officers. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines Profit/Loss and Customs Operations (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning stated that preparatory measures are being taken pending shareholder approval for the relevant programme. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines Profit/Loss and Customs Operations (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri referred to losses linked to aircraft procurement transactions and a profit in one year attributed to exchange gains. He asked for a briefing to the House on the immediate short- and medium-term measures being taken to sustain profitability until shareholder approval is obtained for the new plan. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines Profit/Loss and Customs Operations (Q.2/2025) Read →